"Now, some of you youngsters get hold of the pump handles," Driggs
ordered.
Five high school boys got hold with a will. Gradually, as the
water was emptied out of her the canoe rose higher and higher
in the water.
There was no cheering, now, from the boys on the scow. They were
using all their breath working the pump, while Driggs carefully
directed the bottom of the flexible tubing.
"There!" declared Driggs at last. "Barring a little moisture,
your canoe is as dry as ever it was, boys. I can't see a sign
of a leak anywhere, either. But don't make a practice of tipping
it over every day, for I can't afford to leave my work to help
you out. There's your canoe, and she's all right."
Dick got hold of the painter at the bow, while Driggs released
the grappling tackle.
What a cheer went up from the scow, and what a busy scene there
was on the float as the young women jumped up and down in their
glee over the good fortune of Dick & Co.
"Now, we'll cruise down and get the paddles," Driggs proposed.
"As soon as we pick up a couple of them, Dick and I can take the
canoe and get the rest," Dave suggested.
"You cannot, while the young ladies are with us," Hiram Driggs
contradicted. "Do you want to scare them to death by having another
upset?"
Laura shot a grateful glance at kindly Hiram Driggs. The scow
moved forward, cruising among the paddles until all of them had
been recovered.
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